I always pictured her as Kathy Bates in Titanic, and what struck me the most was not the fact that she was uncouth, but her 'to hell with what people think' attitude. After Wednesday's lecture, I am still left with that impression, although I am certain I still do not know the true Molly Brown.
Last month, I attended a play which included the character of Molly Brown at, of all things, the 1908 Democratic National Convention. In it, she was obsessed with 'polite Denver society'. Even if she fit into high society, as I was surprised to learn given the thrust of Titanic's portrayal of her, I still find it hard to believe that a woman as eccentric and politically progressive as Molly Brown would care so much about putting on airs. I look forward to attending the museum tour in order to get a more nuanced view of this fascinating woman, about whom so many contradictory myths abound.
On another note, I started my foray into community engagement. First, I spent a couple of hours phone banking for Hank Eng, who is trying to take Tom Tancredo's abandoned seat. Phone banking, especially to people who were not all registered Democrats, seemed more like telemarketing than ever; I don't think I enjoy it the way I used to. But it was LGBT night, so I got to hear some interesting coming out stories in addition to insights about the election.
I also attended a meeting of NARAL Pro-Choice DU for an hour. I do hope to get involved in their fight against Amendment 48. It is amazing to what extent that amendment could potentially impact women's reproductive freedom and health. If people knew that banning birth control products could affect women's abilities to prevent ovarian cysts and treat endometriosis, would they still deny us this right on the basis that it could prevent a fertilized egg from attaching? And how many people are against birth control in general? It is sad that a group would manipulate some people's discomfort with abortion to destroy numerous other reproductive freedoms and healthcare necessities as well. I look forward to getting more insight into this amendment, however, during the lecture next week.
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